Sunken Tub - Considering it for a new Custom Home

9 years ago

We are in the very very early stages of designing / building a new custom home. We both want a pretty nice elegant master bathroom and are having trouble finding examples of it anywhere. I am considering a sunken tub like the one in the picture shown (just the tub, not the rest of the room) in the center of the room. What are everyone's thoughts on this type of layout - I just don't see a lot of them out there. (might be a money / space issue alone?).

We are also considering a pedestal tub in the center (same concept).

I like a lot of the outcropped or corner tubs with big windows, but our view is miles and miles of hay fields...If I had a mountain, ocean, lake, or skyline view I'd do this first most likely.

Anyway, is this sunken central tub theme worth chasing? We both really like the idea as of right now.

I would prefer steps leading down into the water, so again, not this exact thing, but something along these lines.

Featured Answer

rebeccamomof123

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Lots of variables I would consider before doing this. Your inspiration pic appears more as a spa, not a bathing tub. Where would you keep your razor, shampoo and soaps? On the floor next tot he tub? Where would you grab your towel when you are done, and wet and naked? I suppose you could have a free standing towel rack next to it. And cleaning it? Ugh, you'd have to get in there, in a bathing suit :) How else do you reach the corners to clean it? Or lay on the ground with some sort of extender brush.

My aunt had a step down bathtub built into the corner of her master in a house they bought that was built in the 80's and she had it removed after a year for several reasons. They are in their early 70's and found it very hard to get in and out of, they were afraid of their grandchildren "falling" into it and she had a very hard time cleaning it, even with cleaners bi-weekly. It still accumulated soap scum that she had a hard time reaching, to clean.

I thank a freestanding claw foot or pedestal bath is much more common and practical IMO, but I'm sure there are others out there that have the sunken tub and love it.

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Comments (8)

Sandy
9 years ago
My sister had a sunken tub and cleaning it was a hassle. Pretty much had to stand on your head to clean it. I love claw foot tubs, had one growing up.
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nanajj
9 years ago
We purchased a custom built home with a sunken tub. I detest it! Giving my small grandkids a bath is a chore, scrubbing the tub is my most dreaded household chore. You practically have to lay down to do a good job. I've had two different surgeries since we've purchased this house and let me tell you it's almost scary to step down when you are still weak. We've lived with it for ten years and are finally remodeling both bathrooms. I can't wait to have a normal bathtub. Just my 2¢.
writersblock (9b/10a)
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I'm with Sandy and nanajj. I used to think they were the coolest thing ever when I was a kid (they were very hot in the 60s). Then this year I had to clean one after a plumbing backup. No. Even a garden tub with a big deck is horrible to clean and kind of scary to get in and out of if you aren't in peak condition.
Albin Irzyk
Original Author
9 years ago
Seems like the Nays have it - I believe we are moving away from this idea. Thanks for all the input - getting good ideas is nice, stopping bad ideas is probably more valuable!
grannysmith18
9 years ago
I thought a sunken tub would be amazing, and tried to figure out how to put one in our redo. In the meantime, we stayed at a gorgeous air-b-n-b on a vacation, and after one bath in the sunken tub, I took showers the rest of the week. Not so glamorous getting in and out of it. I may not be in great shape, but I'm certainly fit enough to get in and out of a bathtub. This was an ordeal.
writersblock (9b/10a)
9 years ago
Believe me, I totally understand the appeal of the idea, but I think you are making the right decision, Albin.
mrspete
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I thought a sunken tub would be amazing, and tried to figure out how to
put one in our redo. In the meantime, we stayed at a gorgeous air-b-n-b
on a vacation, and after one bath in the sunken tub,

I've abandoned several ideas after "trying them out" in rentals -- oversized tubs and jetted tubs are two of them, though I have no experience with sunken tubs. Well, we did see a shiny black oversized sunken tub when we were house hunting, and we listed it as a negative -- didn't buy that house, but the tub wasn't the deciding factor. Anyway, the need to "try it out" is a good reason for a long weekend away.

Thoughts:

- Have you looked at Japanese soaking tubs?

- Is it possible to put a hot tub indoors? I'm thinking you'd need ventilation.

- Steps going down into the water would "eat up" a great deal of space, yet would require more water for every fill.

- I can't imagine cleaning this thing, even without the rocks around the edge in the inspiration pix.